Commentary: How did Melbourne become the centre of the ‘world’s strictest lockdown’?

The result has been a steady uptick in infections and deaths, with the virus finding its way into the aged care system during this latest wave.

This flare up was, and still is, mainly confined to virus hotspots of a few predominantly working-class suburbs in the north and west of Melbourne, home to many immigrants from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Indeed, recent statistics revealed a startling 800 people found not to be isolating at home as they were supposed to be, out of 3,000 spot checks conducted by police and army personnel.The surge in infections across Melbourne has seen the imposition of what has been called “world’s strictest lockdown”.

The increased restrictions, which will last for at least six weeks, have been brought on by the lack of adherence to previous restrictions imposed in early July. This may be understandable to some extent. Residents were only barely beginning to savour little things like dining in at restaurants following the easing of restrictions.Most Melbourne residents have, however, accepted the harsher measures, which include the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors, albeit with an air of weary resignation.

Other Australian states have seen a small number of clusters alongside Melbourne’s outbreaks, mostly linked to travellers or returning residents from Melbourne’s virus hotspots. Some involve asymptomatic carriers unknowingly spreading the virus, but in other cases, some travellers have lied in their health declarations or wilfully ignored requirements to self-isolate.

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